Vehicle Hydroplaning Detection Using CAN Bus Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack reliable systems to detect hydroplaning, which can lead to steering and braking ineffectiveness, despite antilock braking systems (ABS) not directly addressing this issue, and many vehicles do not have the necessary tire-specific sensors.
Innovation Solution
A hydroplaning detection system utilizing a hydroplaning computation device that processes data from a vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN) bus sensors, incorporating tire-agnostic models to calculate remaining contact area and hydroplaning status, integrating with vehicle models and detection logic to provide accurate hydroplaning detection without additional tire-specific sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tire-specific sensors are used to detect hydroplaning, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing vehicle sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, wheel speed sensors) as intermediaries to indirectly detect hydroplaning conditions. Instead of directly measuring tire-road contact, the system measures vehicle dynamics parameters and infers hydroplaning status from these intermediate measurements, avoiding the need for complex tire-specific sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tire-specific sensors with an electronic computation system that processes data from existing vehicle sensors. The hydroplaning detection is achieved through computational algorithms analyzing vehicle dynamics rather than direct mechanical measurement of tire contact conditions.
2Reliability
If additional sensors are installed to detect hydroplaning, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing vehicle sensors serve multiple functions - they are used for both their original purposes (e.g., ABS, stability control) and for hydroplaning detection. This multi-functionality approach allows reliable hydroplaning detection without adding dedicated sensors, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's existing sensor system serves itself by providing data for both original functions and hydroplaning detection. The computation device utilizes already-available sensor data, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional manufacturing steps or sensor installations.
3Measurement precision
If tire-specific sensors are used, then detection precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges hydroplaning detection functionality with existing vehicle sensor systems. By combining the data from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and wheel speed sensors that already exist in modern vehicles, the system achieves accurate hydroplaning detection without requiring separate dedicated sensors, thereby reducing the total quantity of sensors needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method of vehicle hydroplaning detection is described. Dynamic vehicle parameter values are received by a hydroplaning computation device from a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus of a vehicle. The dynamic vehicle parameter values are measured using vehicle CAN bus sensor devices. A plurality of static vehicle parameter values are identified for the vehicle. A tire-model-based slip value, a grip utilization value, a drag force value, and wheel-speed-based slip value are generated. The hydroplaning computation device outputs hydroplaning detection status data based on a vehicle model, the dynamic vehicle parameter values, and the static vehicle parameter values.